Newbie in Need of ZTR Purchase Advice

Im researching and shopping for my first zero turn mower. I own an acreage and mow about five flat acres of tree filled bluegrass. Ill also be mowing my parents and in-laws yards. My plan is to buy the most dependable ztr mower for the price and desire a high quality cut.

Ive looked at Exmark, Gravely, Scag, Cub Cadet, Grasshopper, Toro, Dixie Chopper, Deere and Kubota. By the way Ive tested a couple of models at my home and have never had so much fun on a mower.

The purchase selection is based on quality, price and service availability in our area. Right now the decision is down to an Exmark Lazer Z 72 with a 28 HP Kohler electronic fuel injection engine ($10,250) and a Dixie Chopper Extreme 72 with a 32HP Generac ($9,100).

Im leaning towards the Exmark because its quieter, seems to ride better and it seems to be very well engineered, but is it worth it considering its a thousand bucks more than the Chopper? I also plan to purchase the vac kits each manufacturer provides. Dixies Vortex vac kit is $2K, Exmarks Quickdump vac kit is $2,250. The one thing I really like about the Dixie Chopper is the seat. They really got that right. Anyone know if they build it themselves or buy it somewhere else and put their brand on it.

Ive reviewed past comments on a variety of mowers on this forum, but could sure use some advice from the pro's in the lawn care business.

Does the pricing look fair in comparison to what others are paying for like ZTRs? Which ZTR would you buy and why?

Any and all comments related to the Dixie Chopper versus the Exmark are appreciated.

Dixie Chopper does build the mower themselves. I would choose the Dixie chopper over the Exmark. You said you thought the Exmark rode better than the Dixie but the Dixie should have rode better because of the wider tire to tire width and the Exmark is a lot shorter than most mowers which would make it ride worse. Maybe the Exmark you drove had the suspension seat and the Dixie didn't. You might want to look at a Dixie Chopper supreme mowchine. it is the same size as the Exmark, 60" deck and it has the 28 hp efi Kohler engine on it and it has some features on it that Exmark doesn't. It goes 13 mph where the Exmark goes around 10 mph.

The Dixie has cooling fans on the Hydro pumps and a hydro oil cooler and Exmark has neither so the Dixie Chopper drive system will run cooler. it also has an Amsoil engine oil filter which will filter out particles that are down to 1 micron in size which is equivilent to smoke particles. The Dixie's also have fans on the spindle pulleys to keep the spindles and belts cooler so they will last longer.

From my experiences, Scag is built VERY good. Thats what i would go with IMO, they're very durable.
Dixie choppers look like some badass machines, but i've never used one (i'd like to though) so i reallly can't say anything about them.

You wont go wrong with the Exmark....with that said the Scag is a great mower too, I run both. The Exmark's are faster than the Scag's and the crew leaders fight to load the Lazer's on their truck's and that speaks volumes.

I have had both of those mowers, with different engines, but I hve now gone to scag turf tigers with the 29 kaw dfi. The kawasaki's are more expensive to buy or repair, but have served me better hands down. You are on flat ground, so the mowers will probably cut about the same. Give the scag a second look. it is a better mower than the two you have listed in my mind.

I own an Exmark 27/60 and a Hustler 28 efi /72. Both are good machines but I would give the edge to the Hustler. I just purchased the Hustler with the same engine and deck size you are thinking of and paid $8250.